“You’re Destine – God’s Will and Purpose”

Chapter Fourteen

“The Coming of the Christ”

With God having certain times and seasons in which He accomplished those things He has purposed, living during today’s time and season, it would seem as if most of Christendom is well aware of a teaching. That is, that there is going to be a soon coming again of the Christ. While most Christians believe this teaching to be true, the attitude of many is to not really be looking for that coming. While most church people claim to believe the doctrine, most manifest a life-style that offsets any true showing of this belief. Could we not say, along with the writer of Matthew, that a condition exists among the religious community that is quickly fulfilling one of the signs we are told to be aware of concerning the time of Christ coming. In Matt. 24:37-39 we read, “But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be”. From these scriptures, it is revealed for us that when Noah entered into the ark, a place of safety, a place prepared before hand for divine protection, that all who were not in that place of protection were the ones taken away. Verse 39 says clearly concerning the unbeliever, “and took them all away”. Thus, it was the unprotected ones who were taken, while Noah and his family were safe and secure, to know the joys of entering into a new world after the flood.

In taking a look at what these scriptures are saying concerning the coming of the son of man, it is important to open our spirits and minds to the word itself and what is said on this matter. (Read Matt. 24:3-14). As we consider some of the key words that are used in this context, we shall take a look at their meanings as to what is really being spoken to us. “What shall be the sign of thy coming?” This word “coming” has the meaning of “a being near, presence”. Hence, that for which the disciples were longing to know by their question was, “what shall be the sign of your being near, your presence?” In considering the word “presence”, it must be taken into account, that a presence is that which can be seen or can be felt and not seen. The dictionary itself declares “presence” to mean “the state or fact of being present, a supernatural influence felt to be nearby”. Therefore, in this context the coming of the Christ is to be known by the feeling of a supernatural presence being present or being nearby.

A question arises as we consider an influence of a supernatural nature or a divine spirit that can be felt to be nearby. We know that Jesus was among mankind for 33 ½ years as a visible expression. But when He returned to the Father, as the Son, the risen one, He instructed the disciples in Luke 24:49, “…. behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high (this defines the meaning and purpose of the Holy Spirit)”. The Holy Spirit is of the invisible realm, a realm that cannot be seen with the natural eye, except when manifestations of His presence are shown through those being affected. So, while waiting in Jerusalem, on the day of Pentecost, this power from on high, the Holy Spirit, was given. It not only filled (furnished) the upper room but it filled (influenced) the 120 who were present in the room. While the Holy Spirit was not seen with the natural eye, its coming (presence) resulted in some natural expressions. At its appearing, a mighty wind blew and cloven tongues (tongues distributing and parting themselves) like as of fire were evident. (Read Acts 2:1-4). It can definitely be said, that the presence of the Holy Spirit’s coming or presence was an influence, a supernatural expression that was felt to be present. The expression that resulted in that presence manifested results that could be seen and heard.

Back to Matt. 24:3 and looking at two other words of importance in the phrase, “the end of the world”, lets consider “the end” and “world”. This word “end” is used many times in this chapter and has two different meanings. In verse 3 it means “meeting together of all that marks the consummation of the age”. This marks the end of one age and the beginning of another. But, in verse 6, 13 and 14 the word “end” means “the actual end”. This reveals that God is more than willing to show us even more than we ask for. This shows that while the disciples were limited in their question concerning the immediate age (a period of time) in which they lived, Jesus was more than willing to release unto them an understanding beyond their question. He unrolled the scroll of time for them to understand God’s order through the ages (many periods of time) until the actual end of time. God was and is desirous to reveal, even now, His will and purpose in the restoring of man, with each man coming forth in his own order, until all things are restored.

In considering the word “world” as used in verse 3, it has the meaning of “an age, or age time, the duration of which is indefinite, and may be limited or extended as the context of each occurrence may demand”. But, as used in verse 14, when talking about the “gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the entire world”, the word “world” has the meaning of “the world as inhabited. It is from a verb meaning, to dwell. It is used of the habitable world, the civilized as distinct from barbarian, distinct from the world “kosmos” which is the world as created”. Remember, in considering the truth of this context there are really only two seeds in this world, a seed that is chosen to worship God, the seed of Abraham and a seed which shall worship the beast spoken of, especially in the Book of the Revelation. In seeing the distinction between the two seeds, these two seeds shall continue until such a time as when the word is fulfilled that declares that every knee shall bow to worship God.

This shows us the importance of not only knowing the word, but by the Holy Spirit, we have a need to look closely at each scripture to receive revealed understanding. Mankind of today has tried narrowing God down to such a small limited size, thinking that they can contain Him in the prison house of their own limited intellect. We must and will become a free people, as we free ourselves from our own intellectual limitations, wherein we begin to see that God’s plan and purpose came from before the foundation of the world and the creation of man. The Word declares that all in Christ shall be restored, as God, through the ages, continues His work until all things that are His are returned to Him. Man would seek to limit God, but God, before the end of time, shall bring forth each soul in its own order in Christ, to a place of restoration. In understanding this truth, we must see that the presence or coming of Christ is not restricted until the entire world and every creature has heard the gospel of the Kingdom, but the presence of the Christ shall come forth unto each vessel according to their own order by the seeing, hearing and understanding of the gospel of God’s Kingdom.

With God’s purpose being laid before the foundation of the world, each order of His coming (presence and influence, a supernatural divine spirit felt to be present) has likewise been laid and God shall cause each appearing to come forth according to that purpose, that order. Does the Word show us the order of His appearing? Is it something that God desires to reveal unto us? In I Cor. 15:20-26, God begins to reveal the orders of progression in which He shall make all things live. This order of God’s choosing has its beginning and ending in God. At the time of His choosing, God imparts into that people an eye to see and an ear to hear. The hidden secrets that were not known before are revealed to bring forth understanding. As God reveals the mysteries to a people, they not only begin to hear, but the word itself has the power and the authority to bring it into complete fulfillment through obedience. Herein a work is begun which brings about the perfecting of that word of purpose. Matt. 13:35 declares, “…. that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world”. Also in Matt. 13:10-11, “And the disciple came, and said unto Him, Why speakest Thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, because it is given unto you to know the mysteries (the secrets, or the things thus far kept secret) of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given”.

Could it not be said then, that man is bound by a lack of knowing, until it is given by God to draw the people, at the time of His choosing? How? God will give them understanding, by the Holy Spirit, of God’s purpose at the time for any given order to come forth. What of you? Are you at peace with your spiritual condition and understanding? Or is something stirring in your Being? Is God’s desire at work to bring you into a greater place in Him? Bringing you into a place that you have not gained or walked in as yet? Is the Holy Spirit now at work to establish a new order of people in the earth that the next line or order might be laid concerning the coming of Christ, His presence, His will and purpose?

Back to I Cor. 15:22 it is declared that “in Adam all die”. This understanding is ours because God reveals our sinfulness to us while in the Adam man, who was quickened through the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, in knowing that all have sinned, therefore all have died. The end result of this death is that the flesh and blood body, the one formed from the dust of their earth, shall return back to that from which it came. As mankind continues to live after the dictates of the natural Adam man, their destiny is to know a literal grave, the returning back to the dust from which it was taken. (Read Gen. 3:19 and Rom. 5:12-19). The knowledge we have concerning our lot with death will be a sure experience that is unless God, after the order of His purpose, awakens us to a higher understanding. This understanding is stated in I Cor. 15:22, “in Christ shall all be made alive”. The greater truth here is that life is of a certainty, if the prerequisite is entered into, which is a living “in Christ”. This word “in” as used here is a preposition which denotes “being or remaining within, with the primary idea of rest and continuance”. This speaks of more than a one time happening, but is likened to the woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years, (Read Luke 8:43-48), she touched Him and became whole. The word “touched” being used here means “attached to”, implying that she attached herself to His glory, never to let go. “In Christ” brings life. It will separate us from the realm of death by our remaining or attaching ourselves to Him. When? How? I Cor. 15:23 reveals, “But every man in his own order”.

Here the understanding of some more words from the context becomes very important. As we look at the words, we should also understand that the scripture, when we allow it to, will interpret itself. In verse 22 the word “Christ” is the Greek word “CHRISTOS” which means “to anoint”. Thus, Christ not only speaks of the person, but an anointing that enables that person to be what he is in Christ. I John 2:20 declares, “But ye have an unction (same Greek word as anointing in I John 2:27) from the Holy One, and ye know all things”. This word “unction and anointing” are from the same Greek word “CHRISMO” which has the meaning of, “smearing, the endowment of the Holy Spirit”. The anointing then is a smearing like oil or a covering, a divine endowment, an enablement to become and fulfill the will and purpose of God. With such an anointing, we can know the reality of a life that lives “in Christ”. Is this a life of impossibility? Have we not been told that the body of Christ is not one member called Jesus, but a many member body? Therefore, the anointing of Christ is not for just the first born son (the Head), but the many member son. (Read I Cor. 12:12-27). Jesus will not stand alone, but He, with the many member body, joined together to make up the Christ, is the anointed of God.

Looking back to I Cor. 15:23, lets consider the word “order”. This word means “something orderly in arrangement, a series or succession”. With all being “made alive” (quickened) in Christ, He declares that His life shall find its fulfillment as it touches all things, but, the life of Christ only touches these things in the series or succession that is according to the foreordained arrangement that God purposed in Himself. With this being the case, it would do us good to follow the succession as revealed in the Word. In following the Word of God we have the knowing that God shall leave nothing out. God shall restore, through each series of steps taken, in the order of His purposed restoration. The first in order from verse 23 is “Christ the firstfruits”. Who is Christ? Is He not a many member body? If so, as verse 22 states, “in Christ shall all be made alive”, comes forth after Jesus Christ in His first appearing. These many member firstfruits are quickened after two days or two thousand years later, to become the many member visible expression of God’s firstfruits in the earth. This appearing speaks to us of a ministry that comes forth, in the Christ anointing that will be without measure. These anointed ones are being sent to minister the gospel of the Kingdom of God, to speak forth the knowledge of the mysteries and to make ready for the establishing of God’s Kingdom on this earth.

John 3:34 declares, “For He whom God hath sent speaketh the Words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him”. The one who is spoken of here is not only Jesus, the first born son, but also the many member sons of God, His Christ, the firstfruits of God. They, in the order of the gathering of the harvest, are being prepared for His presence to be established in them, here on earth. This word “firstfruits” is from a root word that means “to commence (in order of time); firstfruits”. In the Old Testament, these firstfruits were sacrificed to God as a wave offering, the ones received by God to usher in the full harvest. (Read Lev. 23:10-12). These scriptures show us that with this wave offering a lamb was also sacrificed as a burnt offering. This type, being fulfilled in the Christ, again brings the firstfruits and the lamb together, to become one in Christ as prayed for by Jesus in John 17:20-22, “Neither pray I (Jesus) for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one”.

As we continue to look at this firstfruits people, in Rom. 8:22-23 we are shown a truth concerning the manifestation that shall have its beginning in the order that commences with this company of people. “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travailed in pain together until now. And not only they but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” Note that all of creation is groaning and travailing for this time of redemption, the beginning of a new creation people. “Redemption” in this context means “ransom in full”, which speaks of the restoration of the whole man, spirit, soul and body. This groaning is especially known among these “firstfruits” as they wait for their time of adoption. This word “adoption” is a word that means “the placing as a son (in respect to God)”. Hence, Jesus, the firstborn son, now accepts the firstfruits at the time of the “adoption” to become a many member son that partakes of all the privileges of the family. These “sons” become “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ:” (Rom.8:17). These heirs become the glorified ones that establish the Kingdom of God in the earth. These “sons” are they, which for only a season, have been placed under teachers until the appointed time of adoption. These co-heirs are they which have come out of bondage to the world’s basic elementary rules, to become “sons”, God’s visible expression on the earth. (Read Gal. 4:1-7).

The fullness of time for the coming forth of these firstfruits to appear in the earth is now at hand. What is your expectancy concerning the things of God? Are you hearing a trumpet, a message of restoration beginning to sound? Is a groaning being felt within your being? Could it not be that the firstfruits people are in the birthing channel, waiting for the last push to be made that they might make their appearance? “Of His own will begat He us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures”. (James 1:18). Thus, God’s will and purpose is to begat His firstfruits. “Begat” in this scripture means to “breed forth, to generate, to bring forth”. How? By the word of truth which is now being spoken to reveal the hidden mysteries which have been kept secret since the world began. This “word of truth” is generating, is bringing forth into existence God’s good and perfect gift to all creation. He is birthing and manifesting the sons of God. It was John, in the revelation of Christ, who was privileged to see these sons in their glory. These sons are they which stand with the Father in His glory, with His nature written in their hearts and minds. These sons declare unto creation a new sound, for they are not polluted with the world’s religious systems, they are spiritual virgins, pure in the spirit of God. There remained nothing in them which the world can touch as they follow only God’s true purpose in all things, to remain without fault. These are those firstfruits people. (Read Rev. 14:1-5).

Is now the time for these sons to come forth, that they might bring down all deceiving forms of religion? Is the time of tribulation, one such as the world has never seen, now to come forth? The system of the first “Adam” man has ran its course and the declaration is coming forth, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon (bondage and confusion) the great”. This is that system which has polluted man, which has kept him captive from the truth, making him a prisoner of death. But truth, in the form of these sons, is now to come forth, truth that makes man free from the law of sin and death. The firstfruits appear and the truth they bring ushers in God’s judgment, God’s avenue to separate all forms of damnation, condemnation and accusation from the next order of people. This word “judgment” is the Greek word “KRISIS” from which our English word “crisis” comes. It has the meaning of a “turning point”. This means then, that another “turning point” will come forth in the earth, to gather another order of people unto our God. (Read Rev. 14:6-16). Lest we forget, let’s turn back to I Cor. 15:23 and note that with “Christ the firstfruits” having come forth, we are further shown, “afterward they (the bride) that are Christ at His coming (presence)”.

With many folks being concerned about their loved ones that have passed on, the scriptures allow us to rest in Christ with this concern. In I Thess. 4:13-18 (Read), Paul writes to us concerning those who have passed on, as well as those that remain. In allowing God’s Spirit to minister to us, from this context, we want to take time to realize the true meanings of another set of words that our understanding may continue to be quickened. In commencing with God’s order to restore all back to life, the firstfruits have made their appearance and now the “afterward” comes into focus, in the series or succession of God’s plan. Judgment, the “turning point” of another order of people will begin and is to be finished. The ministry of the “sons” is being fulfilled as these “afterward” ones are now being made ready for Christ presence to come at their fulfillment. I Thess. 4:13 speaks of those who have “fallen asleep”. This term means “to fall asleep (unintentionally), used of death”. This context allows us to realize that the portion of people, those who have remained in Him, but have died, these shall be brought forth with Christ (firstfruits) at the time of His coming. For the Lord shall descend from “heaven” with a divine purpose and according to the order of His arrangement, to accomplish God’s will. Where is this heaven that He shall descend from? “Descend” is a word meaning “come (step) down”. Thus, at a “shout”, a word which is “a word of command”, the Lord Himself “steps down” from heaven.

This word “descend or step down” speaks more in the light of moving from one dimension to another. Can a person not move from one dimension to another without traveling in space or can more than one dimension dwell in the same space? If a Being lived in the forth dimension and stepped down into the third dimension, would it not have the appearance of coming out of nowhere? Thus, in like manner, the Lord steps down from heaven (one dimension) to make His presence or appearance known (in another dimension). Where did He descend from? Will He not simply “step down” from the place that He ascended unto? Where did He ascend to? “Ascend” from the Greek means “to go up, to grow or spring up, and to come (up)”. Now, what is it that the word “heaven” means? Its meaning is “elevation, the abode of God, happiness, power, eternity, the spiritual”. Thus, this same Christ who ascended (grew up spiritually into the abode of God, was elevated into the spiritual realm of happiness, power and eternity), He simply stepped into a higher realm or dimension. Therefore, when He descends with a command, He shall step down again into a lower realm. This lower realm is the realm wherein man abides in His natural and carnal nature. But Christ shall step down, out of the eternal realm of happiness and power, to gather from this earthy realm of unrighteousness, from the realm of time, a people to be elevated to that spiritual realm of happiness and power, the abiding place of God.

Thus, a question to consider, is there any evidence in this context of a physical moving into another geographical place? Does it not rather speak of a growing up, from out of a fleshly earthly realm of carnality, the prison house that keeps a people from seeing that which is of the spiritual, the heavenlies? This prison house locks in a people wherein they can only be motivated by the natural senses, that realm called death. If this is true, a people can then be released from that prison house of death, the natural sense realm, to be elevated to a spiritual realm called life, one that enables them to become a redeemed people in body, soul and spirit, to dwell in God’s abode of the Spirit. This abode is not off somewhere else or on another planet. It is simply, an invisible realm where the natural senses are concerned. Is not God omnipresent? If God is everywhere, can your natural eyes behold Him? No, but what about that people who have been awakened to know a birthing into that realm where God dwells, will they not be able to see again? Who was it that Adam walked and talked with? God has spoken and declared, “I will restore unto myself a people, I will be their God and they shall be my people, my expression.

The Lord descends from heaven with a shout; a trump blows loud and clear. Are you not hearing a trumpet, a message, sounding out today? With this sound “the dead in Christ shall rise first”. This word “rise” is a verb which has the meaning of “to make to stand up”. “To stand up” insinuates that a condition existed, one of being inactive. It speaks of a lack of participation because the faculties that are needed, to be actively involved, are missing or not functional. But in this scripture we observe that those who are dead, but in Christ, shall be activated or made to stand up again. They will be made able to participate again. This speaks to us of a people who had lost their ability to be visible in their expressions. In this death or sleeping condition, they have not the ability to manifest the image of God to the visible creation. But, these shall “stand up” first. They shall be returned, to a place in God, wherein they can again have a visible vehicle of expression, to again manifest God’s purpose in the order God has willed for them. Were there not a people who came forth from their graves, in the day of Jesus’ resurrection that came forth to walk the streets of Jerusalem? Matt. 27:52-53 says, “And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many”.

I Cor. 15:23 continues to read, “Afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming (presence)”, now has it’s fulfillment in I Thess. 4:17, “then we which are alive (those not yet redeemed as the firstfruits), and remain”. This word “remain” has the meaning of to “survive”. This speaks to us of a people who, during the time of God’s judgment, in the time of tribulation, they “survive”. They survive by staying alive during the time of judgment (separation or the turning point) that is taking place during that season. As the many member firstfruits minister a message or trumpet the word of life unto them, they begin to overcome, to be separated from the turbulent world. These firstfruits are those priesthood ministers of life that shall minister to the rest of the harvest that is to be brought in. These that remain (survive), shall therein be “caught up together with them (the dead in Christ)”. Again, we consider the meaning of the phrase “caught up”. This phrase means, “To seize, pluck, pull, and take (by force)”. What an anointing, this son company of Christ, the firstfruits, moving in the new creation anointing shall, with power and authority, speak forth such life, that those “that are Christ at His coming (presence), shall be seized and taken by that power. They shall be plucked out of the hands of the wicked one, that old Babylonish system that has bound and made them prisoners. Deliverance from death shall now be their lot, as these people begin to live again by the power of the Christ resurrection. They shall again know Him as He is. They shall walk and talk with Him in the spirit of the day.

Back to that part of scripture which says, “caught up together with them in the clouds”, we want to look at the phrase “in the clouds”. As we let the Word interpret itself, we can receive a greater understanding as to what certain phrases truly mean. In Heb. 12:1 we are told, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses”, which allows us to consider, that a cloud, as spoken of in this scripture can mean more than a literal natural cloud floating around in the sky. In this verse, it speaks of a people, the throng spoken of in the eleventh chapter, as a people of faith. They have become so grouped together in their stand of faith, that they become a one-minded, one-spirited people. They become as one, but many members, being moved by the Holy Spirit, seen as a cloud (throng) of people. In II Peter 2:17 we see the negative side, but the same truth, a people who are motivated totally for the benefit of the selfish Adam nature. Thus, they become “wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest: ….” Again, like motivations, identify these spoken of, to be of such unity, that they are seen in their oneness as clouds, clouds that are carried about or blown around by the spirit of the world, through religious in practice, carnal in their thinking. In Jude verses 11-12, the same truth is revealed, “Clouds they are without water, carried about of winds ….” Their oneness of mind makes them as clouds, but these clouds have no water (truth) to stabilize them.

Therefore, they are also blown about by every wind (spirit) of the doctrines of man. Can we not consider then, that the dead in Christ and those who survive to remain are to be seized by the Word of God? They are to be ministered unto and delivered, by the Word, in spirit and truth. They shall be plucked up by the authority of God, into an oneness with the Word to become as a cloud, becoming a one minded people in Christ as they meet with Him (the many member body of Christ). In this truth of fact, as they meet with Him, they are simply meeting with Christ in another realm of life, the abiding place wherein God dwells. Remember, God is a Spirit and to know Him is to know Him in spirit and truth. Therefore, these that are His at His coming (presence), become a people that are likewise resurrected, spiritualized in body, soul and spirit. In, as the scripture continues, “Meeting the Lord in the air”, we should note that the word interpreted “air” has the meaning of “to breathe unconsciously, to blow”. Does this not speak of a people that will be doing something that come naturally? Breathing, doing something that requires no conscious forethought. Could this not be the results of the new covenant God promised to bring forth, the covenant of writing His laws in our hearts and minds? In Gen. 2:7, the word “breath” means “wind, divine inspiration”. This is speaking of the life of God which was imparted into man that his formed body might live. In Acts 2:1-2, the word “wind” means “to breathe, a breeze, breath”.

On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the people in the upper room and put within them with such power that through this power the early church had its beginning, a beginning that was to last for two days (two thousand years). We are also told that this early church was only of an in-part realm, for these two days (2000 years), but God has declared that He would usher in a greater glory in His people. This latter day church will usher in a glory that shall be the beginning of another new day, a third one thousand year day in which all shall be made perfect. Here in I Thess. 4:13-18 we see the coming together, with the Lord, a greater glory as we meet with Him in this place of perfection, God’s spiritual abiding place, with a renewed visible resurrected body, soul and spirit.

We can see then a ministry, which is carried on through the firstfruits of God, as His Kingdom is established on the earth to last for eternity. First, throughout the millennial age, that which is called the thousand year reign, a thousand year ministry of rest, when we shall see the Christ as He is. Then we shall see another phase of God’s order come into focus as we look again at I Cor. 15:20-26. In verse twenty four we read, “Then cometh the end”. The word “end” in this verse means “the actual end”, which speaks of the end of the millennial age, the perfecting of all that He began in the beginning. Many events have taken place to fulfill the coming or presence of the Lord. First, Christ the remnant firstfruits have come into a perfected manifestation. Next, the bride of Christ has been made ready and is coming forth from the abode of God into a visible manifestation of that spiritual expression of God. (Read Rev. 21:1-5). With the bride coming forth, the Word states that all former things (death, sorrow, crying and pain) are now passed away and then cometh the end, when He shall make all things new. Here we shall know the God of all creation, for even the servants shall see His face and receive from Him. The firstfruits of Christ, the overcomers, have joined Him in His throne, along with the bride who shall be placed at His (plural) side, while the servants, the saved nations, which are now included, shall stand in the light of God to be with Him forever. (Read Rev. 22:1-5).

Before ending this chapter, we again are mindful that the promise of His presence has been and is still being given. The signs are all around us and His promises have, are and will be completely fulfilled. James 5:7-8 is an exhortation that God, while long in patience to bring forth the harvest, shall wait until both the early and latter rain has come forth. “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming (presence) of the Lord, Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming (presence) of the Lord draweth nigh”. This is the spiritual outpouring that brings forth the spiritual fruit within and out from a people. The early rain has come forth and the latter rain is now pouring as it has been promised. Its pouring forth shall cause to spring up the bringing forth of men who are growing up out of the realm of death. Both the early and latter rain shall fall together to finish the gathering in of a full harvest. Man shall grow up into their places, with “every man in his own order”. Even though the mind-set of creation says, “where is the promise of His coming?” God is “not slack concerning His promise”, but is faithful in the work of perfecting His people into his likeness and image.

In this, He shows us that some heavens (mind-sets) which exist will have to be dissolved. (Read II Peter 3:1-14). Could it be, in verses 10 through 12, that with “heaven” being a place of “elevation, spiritual, the abode of God”, that the heaven in the invisible realm of man’s soul has been polluted with doctrines of death, man’s traditions and doctrines that have their source and beginnings in man’s carnal mind? God has said that the old heavens and earth (man’s fallen body, formed of the dust of the earth) shall be dissolved. These scriptures show that in the day of His coming (presence), in each man’s order, these old heavens shall, with a great noise, pass away. Could this great noise be speaking of the resistance that exist in stubborn man as he seeks to remain his own god instead of humbling himself before the one true God? These elements shall pass away with fervent heat, with the earth (old man) and his works. The word “elements” has the meaning of “elementary rule” which has made us prisoners of a system that the world uses to rule over all people. This world’s systems of rulership are of such basic, elementary rule, that in all its knowledge, the world has evolved into nothing more that a system of governments and laws that promote lifestyles such as was revealed in Sodom and Gomorrah. But, God has promised to replace those old lifestyles through the redeeming order of His appearing. Therefore, let’s turn away from these worldly elementary rules and release our hearts to cry “Abba Father”, that we might take our place in God’s order.

Col.2:8 & 20-23 again speaks to us a caution concerning these elementary rules. (Read Col. 2:20-3:10). The word “rudiments” in verse eight is the same word interpreted as “elements” in II Peter 3:10. We are not to be spoiled, as the manner of the world, by these elementary rules which only satisfy the desires of the flesh. Again, in Heb. 5:12-14, we receive instruction concerning the “first principles”, the same Greek word as “elements”. Therefore, elementary rules simply keep a people from growing and maturing in the things of the Spirit. They keep us in the position to remain a babe concerning the things of God. A babe, spiritually, is one that is not able to speak, one that has not the ability to converse in the real truths of the things of our true God, unto the manifesting of His nature. A babe has not the ability to bring forth God’s image from the invisible to the visible. Thank God, this is again the day of His coming. His presence is making itself known to His people and because a people know Him in His presence, they are truly becoming His people. Is not our redemption even now upon us, redemption in a full measure in spirit, soul and body? Thank you Father, for you have chosen us from before the foundation of the world. You have redeemed us and are bringing us forth to fulfill your will and purpose in you.